January 7, 2015-- By Faith

Hebrews 11:17-31

By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, ¹⁸of whom he had been told, “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” ¹⁹He considered the fact that God is able even to raise someone from the dead—and figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. ²⁰By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. ²¹By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, “bowing in worship over the top of his staff.” ²²By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial. ²³By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. ²⁴By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. ²⁶He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. ²⁷By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. ²⁸By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. ²⁹By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. ³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. ³¹By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

By faith!  The write of Hebrews is recounting our brothers and sisters of history who have lived by faith.  The story of Abraham, how in a faith unfathomable offered up Isaac, not knowing but trusting that God would intervene because it had been told him that descendants would be through Isaac.  Moses, whose Hebrew mother showed faith when he was hidden and then placed in a river to then be raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, and his ministry of faith including leading the people out of Egypt amidst bickering and hardship.  By faith the walls of Jericho fell.  By faith, Rahab was spared. 

By faith Mary said, here I am the servant of my Lord.  By faith the disciples left their fishing and followed Jesus.  By faith, the early disciples faced ridicule and death to proclaim the bold message of the gospel.

By faith!  Powerful words.  In what ways have you acted by faith?  How might you act in faith?  What is a situation going on in your life that is challenging you, and what would by faith mean in your decision?

Gracious Lord, you call each of us by faith, and by faith we follow.  Help us to rely on you, on your Word, on your leading in all that we do.  Help us trust, not knowing where we are going.  Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNIx__JGLGs